U.S. patent application number 09/838317 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-29 for information transfer apparatus and method transferring to another terminal information transmitted from server to client, and machine-readable recording medium recorded with program realizing information transfer method.
Invention is credited to Chiba, Masahiro.
Application Number | 20010047403 09/838317 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18658201 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010047403 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chiba, Masahiro |
November 29, 2001 |
Information transfer apparatus and method transferring to another
terminal information transmitted from server to client, and
machine-readable recording medium recorded with program realizing
information transfer method
Abstract
A transfer apparatus transfers a data item included in a web
page to a predetermined terminal The transfer apparatus includes a
data region extraction unit extracting a plurality of data items
from a web page transmitted towards a client computer, a
button-added web page generation unit generating transmission data
causing a select button of a relevant data item to appear in
response to specifying a display region of the corresponding data
item at the client computer according to the extracted data item,
and a data format conversion unit receiving request data from a
client computer in response to transmission data, and converting
the data format of the requested data for transfer to a
terminal.
Inventors: |
Chiba, Masahiro;
(Yamatokoriyama-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIXON & VANDERHYE P.C
8th Floor
1100 North Glebe Road
Arlington
VA
22201-4714
US
|
Family ID: |
18658201 |
Appl. No.: |
09/838317 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
709/219 ;
707/E17.116; 707/E17.121; 709/203 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 67/02 20130101;
G06F 16/958 20190101; H04L 9/40 20220501; G06F 16/9577 20190101;
H04L 67/303 20130101; H04L 69/329 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/219 ;
709/203 |
International
Class: |
G06F 015/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 24, 2000 |
JP |
2000-152835 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An information transfer apparatus transferring to a
predetermined terminal information transmitted from a server
connected to a network to a client, said information transfer
apparatus comprising: communication means connected to said network
for transmitting and receiving information with respect to another
apparatus, terminal information storage means for storing terminal
information of a terminal to which said information is to be
transferred, first reception means connected to said communication
means for receiving information including a plurality of data
items, transmitted from said server towards said client, data
storage means connected to said communication means for storing
said information received by said first reception means, data
transmission means connected to said communication means for
extracting said plurality of data items from said information
transmitted towards said client, and transmitting to said client
said extracted data items and interface information that realizes
at said client an interface to display said information in whole
and to select respective data items corresponding to said extracted
data items, based on said extracted data items, second reception
means connected to said communication means for receiving from said
client transfer request data requesting transfer of a data item
selected from said extracted plurality of data items to a terminal,
and transfer means connected to said communication means, said data
storage means, and said terminal information storage means for
converting said data item into a data format corresponding to a
terminal of a predetermined transfer destination stored in said
terminal information storage means for transfer to said terminal,
based on said transfer request data received by said second
reception means.
2. The information transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
said data transmission means comprises means for extracting said
plurality of data items from said information transmitted towards
said client, and transmitting to said client said extracted data
items and interface information that realizes at said client an
interface appearing in response to specifying a display region of a
data item corresponding to said extracted data items to select
respective data items corresponding to said extracted data items,
based on said extracted data items.
3. The information transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
said transfer means comprises means for converting said data item
into a data format corresponding to a terminal of a predetermined
transfer destination stored in said terminal information storage
means, and adding information other than the data items received
from said server to said converted data item for transfer to said
terminal, based on said transfer request data received by said
reception means.
4. The information transfer apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising terminal information reception means connected to said
communication means for receiving said terminal information from
said client to store in said terminal information storage
means.
5. The information transfer apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
said server is a World Wide Web server, and said information
relates to a web page, said interface including a select button to
select a data item in said display region from said plurality of
data items, said select button appearing at least inside said
display region or in a neighborhood of said display region in
response to specifying respective display regions of said extracted
plurality of data items from said web page.
6. The information transfer apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
said interface includes a transfer destination select button to
select a transfer destination of a selected data item, and a data
select button to select a data item of said display region from
said plurality of data items, said data select button appearing at
least inside said display region or in a neighborhood of said
display region in response to specifying respective display regions
of said extracted plurality of data items from said web page.
7. The information transfer apparatus according to claim 5,
includes a data select button to select a data item of said display
region from said plurality of data items, and a transfer
destination select button to select a transfer destination of said
selected data item, said data select button and said transfer
destination select button appearing at least in said display region
or in a neighborhood of said display region in response to
specifying respective display regions of said extracted plurality
of data items from said web page.
8. An information transfer apparatus transferring to a
predetermined terminal information transmitted from a server
connected to a network to a client, said information transfer
apparatus comprising: a communication circuit connected to said
network for transmitting and receiving information with respect to
another apparatus, a terminal information storage circuit for
storing terminal information of a terminal to which said
information is to be transferred, a first reception circuit
connected to said communication circuit for receiving information
including a plurality of data items, transmitted from said server
towards said client, a data storage circuit connected to said
communication circuit for storing said information received by said
first reception circuit, a data transmission circuit connected to
said communication circuit for extracting said plurality of data
items from said information transmitted towards said client, and
transmitting to said client said extracted data items and interface
information that realizes at said client an interface to display
said information in whole and to select respective data items
corresponding to said extracted data items, based on said extracted
data items, a second reception circuit connected to said
communication circuit for receiving from said client transfer
request data requesting transfer of a data item selected from said
extracted plurality of data items to a terminal, and a transfer
circuit connected to said communication circuit, said data storage
circuit, and said terminal information storage circuit for
converting said data item into a data format corresponding to a
terminal of a predetermined transfer destination stored in said
terminal information storage circuit for transfer to said terminal,
based on said transfer request data received by said second
reception circuit.
9. The information transfer apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
said data transmission circuit comprises a circuit for extracting
said plurality of data items from said information transmitted
towards said client, and transmitting to said client said extracted
data items and interface information that realizes at said client
an interface appealing in response to specifying a display region
of a data item corresponding to said extracted data items to select
respective data items corresponding to said extracted data items,
based on said extracted data items.
10. The information transfer apparatus according to claim 8,
wherein said transfer circuit comprises a circuit for converting
said data item into a data format corresponding to a terminal of a
predetermined transfer destination stored in said terminal
information storage circuit, and adding information other than the
data items received from said server to said converted data item
for transfer to said terminal, based on said transfer request data
received by said reception circuit.
11. The information transfer apparatus according to claim 8,
further comprising a terminal information reception circuit
connected to said communication circuit for receiving said terminal
information from said client to store in said terminal information
storage circuit.
12. The information transfer apparatus according to claim 9,
wherein said server is a World Wide Web server, and said
information relates to a web page, said interface including a
select button to select a data item in said display region from
said plurality of data items, said select button appealing at least
inside said display region or in a neighborhood of said display
region in response to specifying respective display regions of said
extracted plurality of data items from said web page.
13. The information transfer apparatus according to claim 12,
wherein said interface includes a transfer destination select
button to select a transfer destination of a selected data item,
and a data select button to select a data item of said display
region from said plurality of data items, said data select button
appealing at least inside said display region or in a neighborhood
of said display region in response to specifying respective display
regions of said extracted plurality of data items from said web
page.
14. The information transfer apparatus according to claim 12,
wherein said interface includes a data select button to select a
data item of said display region from said plurality of data items,
and a transfer destination select button to select a transfer
destination of said selected data item, said data select button and
said transfer destination select button appearing at least in said
display region or in a neighborhood of said display region in
response to specifying respective display regions of said extracted
plurality of data items from said web page.
15. An information transfer method transferring to a predetermined
terminal information transmitted from a server connected to a
network to a client, said information transfer method comprising
the steps of: preparing terminal information of a terminal to which
said information is to be transferred, receiving information
including a plurality of data items, transmitted from said server
towards said client, storing said information received at said step
of receiving information including a plurality of data items,
extracting said plurality of data items from said information
transmitted towards said client, and transmitting to said client
said extracted data items and interface information that realizes
at said client an interface to display said information in whole
and to select respective data items corresponding to said extracted
data items, based on said extracted data items, receiving from said
client transfer request data requesting transfer of a data item
selected from said extracted plurality of data items to said
terminal, and converting said data item into a data format
corresponding to a terminal of a predetermined transfer destination
stored in said terminal information storage circuit for transfer to
said terminal, based on said transfer request data received at said
step of receiving transfer request data.
16. The information transfer method according to claim 15, wherein
said step of transmitting said extracted data item and interface
information comprises the step of extracting said plurality of data
items from said information transmitted towards said client, and
transmitting to said client said extracted data items and interface
information that realizes at said client an interface appearing in
response to specifying a display region of a data item
corresponding to said extracted data item to select respective data
items corresponding to said extracted data items, based on said
extracted data items.
17. The information transfer method according to claim 15, wherein
said step of transferring a data item comprises the step of
converting said data item into a data format corresponding to a
terminal of a predetermined transfer destination prepared at said
step of preparing said terminal information, and adding information
other than the data item received from said server to said
converted data item for transfer to said terminal, based on said
transfer request data received at said step of receiving transfer
request data.
18. The information transfer method according to claim 15, wherein
said step of preparing terminal information comprises the step of
receiving said terminal information from said client and preparing
terminal information according to said received terminal
information.
19. The information transfer method according to claim 16, wherein
said server is a World Wide Web server, and said information
relates to a web page, said interface including a select button to
select a data item in said display region from said plurality of
data items, said select button appearing at least inside said
display region or in a neighborhood of said display region in
response to specifying respective display regions of said extracted
plurality of data items from said web page.
20. The information transfer method according to claim 19, wherein
said interface includes a transfer destination select button to
select a transfer destination of a selected data item, and a data
select button to select a data item of said display region from
said plurality of data items, said data select button appearing at
least inside said display region or in a neighborhood of said
display region in response to specifying respective display regions
of said extracted plurality of data items from said web page.
21. The information transfer method according to claim 19, wherein
said interface includes a data select button to select a data item
of said display region from said plurality of data items, and a
transfer destination select button to select a transfer destination
of said selected data item, said data select button and said
transfer destination select button appearing at least in said
display region or in a neighborhood of said display region in
response to specifying respective display regions of said extracted
plurality of data items from said web page.
22. A machine-readable recording medium recorded with a program
realizing an information transfer method transferring to a
predetermined terminal information transmitted from a server
connected to a network to a client, said information transfer
method comprising the steps of: preparing terminal information of a
terminal to which said information is to be transferred, receiving
information including a plurality of data items, transmitted from
said server towards said client, storing said information received
at said step of receiving information including a plurality of data
items, extracting said plurality of data items from said
information transmitted towards said client, and transmitting to
said client said extracted data items and interface information
that realizes at said client an interface to display said
information in whole and to select respective data items
corresponding to said selected data items, based on said extracted
data items, receiving from said client transfer request data
requesting transfer of a data item selected from said extracted
plurality of data items to said terminal, and converting said data
item into a data format corresponding to a terminal of a
predetermined transfer destination stored in said terminal
information storage circuit for transfer to said terminal, based on
said transfer request data received at said step of receiving
transfer request data.
23. The recording medium according to claim 22, wherein said step
of transmitting said extracted data item and interface information
comprises the step of extracting said plurality of data items from
said information transmitted towards said client, and transmitting
to said client said extracted data items and interface information
that realizes at said client an interface appearing in response to
specifying a display region of a data item corresponding to an
extracted data item to select respective data items corresponding
to said extracted data items, based on said extracted data
items.
24. The recording medium according to claim 22, wherein said step
of transferring said data item comprises the step of converting
said data item into a data format corresponding to a terminal of a
predetermined transfer destination prepared at said step of
preparing terminal information, and adding information other than
the data item received from said server to said converted data item
for transfer to said terminal, based on said transfer request data
received at said step of receiving transfer request data.
25. The recording medium according to claim 22, wherein said step
of preparing terminal information comprises the step of receiving
said terminal information from said client and preparing terminal
information according to said received terminal information.
26. The recording medium according to claim 23, wherein said server
is a World Wide Web server, and said information relates to a web
page, said interface including a select button to select a data
item in said display region from said plurality of data items, said
select button appearing at least inside said display region or in a
neighborhood of said display region in response to specifying
respective display regions of said extracted plurality of data
items from said web page.
27. The recording medium according to claim 26, wherein said
interface includes a transfer destination select button to select a
transfer destination of a selected data item, and a data select
button to select a data item of said display region from said
plurality of data items, said data select button appearing at least
inside said display region or in a neighborhood of said display
region in response to specifying respective display regions of said
extracted plurality of data items from said web page.
28. The recording medium according to claim 26, wherein said
interface includes a data select button to select a data item of
said display region from said plurality of data items, and a
transfer destination select button to select a transfer destination
of said selected data item said data select button and said
transfer destination select button appearing at least in said
display region or in a neighborhood of said display region in
response to specifying respective display regions of said extracted
plurality of data items from said web page.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to the art of data
communication between server and clients connected to a network,
particularly the art to transfer data received from a server to
another information communication terminal.
[0003] 2. Description of the Background Art
[0004] Data such as a web page received from a WWW (World Wide Web)
server connected to the Internet can be browsed using a browse
software (referred to as "browser" hereinafter) executed on a
computer. PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), cellular telephones,
mail dedicated terminals, pagers, and the like are known in
addition to computers as information communication terminals that
can browse data. By transferring data such as a web page browsed by
the computer to these information communication terminals, data can
be readily browsed at sites away from home and offices.
[0005] Such information communication terminals have limitation in
the size of the display screen for the sake of improving the
portability and in the memory capacity to suppress the cost. These
information communication devices differ in their data format that
can be displayed depending upon their types. The number of types of
data that can be displayed is less than those for a computer.
Therefore, the user has to convert the format of the data in the
web page for transfer to an information communication terminal
according to the function (displayable data format, displayable
data amount, and the like) of a predetermined information
communication terminal. Such operations require a great amount of
labor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an
information transfer apparatus and method for a user to easily
transfer information such as a web page to a predetermined
information communication terminal.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
information transfer apparatus and method for the user to easily
select required information and transfer the selected information
to a predetermined information communication terminal.
[0008] A further object of the present invention is to provide an
information transfer apparatus and method for a user to easily
select required information and transfer the selected information
to a predetermined information communication terminal based on
displayed information.
[0009] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
an information transfer apparatus and method for a user to transfer
information together with selected information added to a
predetermined information communication terminal.
[0010] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide an information transfer apparatus and method for a user to
transfer selected information to a predetermined information
communication terminal without being aware of the data format that
can be displayed at the information communication terminal.
[0011] According to an aspect of the present invention, an
information transfer apparatus transfers to a predetermined
terminal information transmitted from a server connected to a
network to a client. The information transfer apparatus includes a
communication circuit connected to the network for transmitting and
receiving information with respect to another apparatus, a terminal
information storage circuit storing terminal information of a
terminal to which information is to be transferred, a first
reception circuit connected to the communication circuit for
receiving information including a plurality of data items that is
transmitted from the server to the client, a data storage circuit
connected to the communication circuit for storing information
received by the first reception circuit, a data transmission
circuit connected to the communication circuit for extracting a
plurality of data items from the information transmitted towards
the client, and transmitting to the client the extracted data items
and interface information that realizes at the client an interface
to display the information in whole and to select respective data
items corresponding to the selected data items, based on the
extracted data items, a second reception circuit connected to the
communication circuit for receiving from the client transfer
request data requesting transfer of a data item selected from the
extracted plurality of data items to a terminal, and a transfer
circuit connected to the communication circuit, the data storage
circuit, and the terminal information storage circuit for
converting the data item into a data format corresponding to a
terminal of a predetermined transfer destination stored in the
terminal information storage circuit, based on the transfer request
data received by the second reception circuit.
[0012] By the interface realized at the client, the data item to be
transferred to a terminal can be selected out from a plurality of
data items included in the information transmitted from the server
to the client. Even in the case where a button appears to select a
data item to be transferred to a terminal by the interface realized
at the client, a data item can be selected based on the display of
data items since the entire information including the extracted
data items are displayed (that is, the data item is not hidden by
that button). The data item selected by the user is converted into
a data format that can be browsed by the user's terminal and then
transferred thereto. Thus, an information transfer apparatus is
provided that allows the user to easily transfer required
information such as a web page to a predetermined information
communication terminal.
[0013] Further preferably, the data transmission circuit includes a
circuit for extracting a plurality of data items from the
information transmitted towards the client, and transmitting to the
client the extracted data items and interface information that
realizes at the client an interface appearing in response to
specifying a display region of a data item corresponding to an
extracted data item to select respective data items corresponding
to the extracted data items, based on the extracted data items.
[0014] For example, an interface is realized at a client that
causes appearance of a select button to select a data item that is
to be transferred to a terminal when a pointing device such as a
mouse points to a display region of a data item, and that causes
display of the entire information including the data items without
the appearance of a select button if the mouse or the like does not
designate a display region of a data item. Thus, an information
transfer apparatus is provided that allows a user to easily
transfer required information such as a web page to a predetermined
information communication terminal.
[0015] Further preferably, the transfer circuit includes a circuit
for converting a data item into a data format corresponding to a
terminal of a predetermined transfer destination stored in the
terminal information storage circuit and adding information other
than the data item received from the server to the converted data
item for transmission to the terminal, based on the transfer
request data received by the reception circuit.
[0016] The transfer circuit converts the data into the data format
corresponding to the transfer destination terminal, and adds
information other than the data received from the server to the
converted data for transfer to the terminal. For example, a data
item added with advertisement data of an enterprise providing the
service of the information transfer apparatus, data of the
transmitter and the like can be transferred to the terminal. Thus,
an information transfer apparatus is provided that allows a user to
add data to required information such as a web page and transfer
the same to a predetermined information communication terminal.
[0017] Further preferably, the information transfer apparatus
further includes a terminal information reception circuit connected
to the communication circuit for receiving terminal information
from a client and storing the terminal information in the terminal
information storage circuit.
[0018] The terminal information reception circuit receives terminal
information from a client and stores the received terminal
information in the terminal information storage circuit. The client
can register, modify and delete information of a terminal to which
information is to be transferred (the allowable data format for
display, destination address, and the like for each user terminal).
Thus, an information transfer apparatus is provided that allows a
user to transfer required information such as a web page easily to
a predetermined information communication terminal.
[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, an
information transfer method transfers to a predetermined terminal
information transmitted from a server connected to a network to a
client. The information transfer method includes the steps of
preparing terminal information of a terminal to which information
is to be transferred, receiving information including a plurality
of data items that is transmitted towards a client from the server,
storing the information received at the step of receiving
information including a plurality of data items, extracting a
plurality of data items from the information transmitted towards
the client, and transmitting to the client the extracted data items
and interface information that realizes at the client an interface
to display information in whole and select respective data items
corresponding to the extracted data items, based on the extracted
data items, receiving from the client transfer request data
requesting transfer of a data item selected from the extracted
plurality of data items to a terminal, and converting the data item
into a data format corresponding to the terminal of a predetermined
transfer destination stored in the terminal information storage
circuit for transfer to the terminal, based on the transfer request
data received at the step of receiving transfer request data.
[0020] By the interface realized at a client, the data item to be
transferred to a terminal can be selected out from a plurality of
data items included in the information transmitted from the server
to a client. For example, even in the case where a button appears
to select a data item to be transferred to a terminal by the
interface realized at the client, data can be selected according to
the display of the data item since the entire information including
the extracted data items is displayed. The data item selected by
the user is converted into a data format that can be browsed by the
user's terminal and transferred thereto. Thus, an information
transfer method is provided that allows a user to transfer required
information such as a web page to a predetermined information
communication terminal.
[0021] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a
machine-readable recording medium is recorded with a program that
realizes an information transfer method to transfer to a
predetermined terminal information transmitted from a server
connected to a network to a client. The information transfer method
includes the steps of preparing terminal information of a terminal
to which information is to be transferred, receiving information
including a plurality of data items that is to be transmitted
towards a client from the server, storing the information received
at the step of receiving information including a plurality of data
items, extracting a plurality of data items from the information
transmitted towards the client, and transmitting to the client the
extracted data items and interface information that realizes at the
client an interface to display information in whole and select
respective data items corresponding to the extracted data items,
based on the extracted data items, receiving from the client
transfer request data requesting transfer a data item selected from
the extracted plurality of data items to a terminal, and converting
the data item into a data format corresponding to the terminal of a
predetermined transfer destination stored in the terminal
information storage circuit for transfer to the terminal, based on
the transfer request data received at the step of receiving
transfer request data.
[0022] By the interface realized at a client, the data item to be
transferred to a terminal can be selected out from a plurality of
data items included in the information transmitted from the server
to a client. For example, even in the case where a button appears
to select a data item to be transferred to a terminal by the
interface realized at the client, data can be selected according to
the display of the data item since the entire information including
the extracted data items is displayed. The data item selected by
the user is converted into a data format that can be browsed by the
user's terminal and transferred thereto. Thus, a machine-readable
recording medium is provided, recorded with a program realizing an
information transfer method that allows a user to transfer required
information such as a web page to a predetermined information
communication terminal.
[0023] The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and
advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from
the following detailed description of the present invention when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 shows an entire structure including a data transfer
apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the data transfer
apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 3 shows terminal information of an information
communication terminal of the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the control procedure of a
transmission data generation process in the data transfer apparatus
of the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a control procedure of a data
transfer process in the data transfer apparatus of the first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 6 is a web page received from a server by the data
transfer apparatus of the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0030] FIG. 7 shows the result of extracting data from the web page
of FIG. 6.
[0031] FIG. 8 shows the source code of the web page of FIG. 6.
[0032] FIG. 9 shows the web page to be transmitted to a client by
the data transfer apparatus according to the first embodiment of
the present invention.
[0033] FIGS. 10 and 11 show first and second sections,
respectively, of the source code of the web page of FIG. 9.
[0034] FIG. 12 shows a terminal information of an information
communication terminal according to a second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0035] FIG. 13 shows a web page with a display of a transfer
destination select button that is to be transmitted to a client by
the data transfer apparatus of the second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0036] FIGS. 14 and 15 show respective web pages with the display
of a data select button that is to be transmitted to a client by
the data transfer apparatus of the second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0037] FIGS. 16 and 17 show the first and second sections,
respectively, of the source code of the web page of FIGS.
13-15.
[0038] FIG. 18 shows a web page with the display of a data select
button that is to be transmitted to a client by the data transfer
apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0039] Embodiments of the present invention will be described
hereinafter with reference to the drawings. In the following
description and drawings, the same reference characters are
allotted to the same elements. Labels and functions thereof are
identical. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be
repeated where appropriate.
[0040] First Embodiment
[0041] Referring to FIG. 1, a data transfer apparatus 100 according
to a first embodiment of the present invention transfers the data
transmitted to a WWW client computer 210 from a WWW server 200
connected to the Internet 220 to an information communication
terminal 230 such as a predetermined PDA and to an information
communication terminal 250 such as a cellular telephone via the
Internet 220 and a public network 240.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 2, data transfer apparatus 100 includes a
communication connection unit 110 connected to Internet 220 and
public network 240 to transfer data between data transfer apparatus
100 and another apparatus (WWW server 200, WWW client computer 210,
information communication terminals 230, 250 and the like), a
control unit 120 connected to communication connection unit 110 to
provide the overall control of data transfer apparatus 100, a
database 130 storing terminal information such as of information
communication terminals 230 and 250 to which data is to be
transferred, a web page storage unit 140 connected to communication
connection unit 110 via control unit 120 to store a web page
transmitted from WWW server 200 to a WWW client computer 210, a
data region extraction unit 150 connected to web page storage unit
140 via control unit 120 to extract a plurality of data regions
from the information of the web page transmitted to WWW client
computer 210, a button-added web page generation unit 160 connected
to data region extraction unit 150 via control unit 120 to generate
transmission data added with information to realize a button to
select data as an interface, which is to be transmitted to WWW
client computer 210 according to the extracted data, and a data
format conversion unit 170 connected to communication connection
unit 110, database 130 and web page storage unit 140 via control
unit 120 to convert data requested to be transferred into a data
format corresponding to predetermined information communication
terminals 230 and 250 stored in database 130 according to the
transfer request data received by communication connection unit 110
from WWW client computer 210.
[0043] Control unit 120 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit)
executing a control program to provide the overall control of data
transfer apparatus 100, a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a hard disk
storing the program to be executed by the CPU and various data, and
a RAMI (Random Access Memory) storing intermediate data of the
process executed by the CPU.
[0044] Information of information communication terminals 230 and
250 are stored for each user requesting data transfer in database
130. Referring to FIG. 3, the information includes a transmission
information format (e-mail, FAX, cellular telephone, and the like)
for each user, a transmission destination (e-mail address,
telephone number, and the like), and a connection destination (the
Internet, public network, and the like). Furthermore, the data
format that can be displayed at the information communication
terminal can be stored.
[0045] Communication connection unit 110 receives data of a web
page including a plurality of data from WWW server 200, and
transmits the data of the received web page to WWW client computer
210. Communication connection unit 110 transmits the button-added
web page generated by button-added web page generation unit 160 to
WWW client computer 210. Communication connection unit 110 receives
from WWW client computer 210 transfer request data requesting
transfer of data selected from the extracted plurality of data to
information communication terminals 230 and 250. Communication
connection unit 110 transfers the data converted into a
predetermined data format by data format conversion unit 170 to
information communication terminals 230 and 250.
[0046] The web page is a home page or the like represented using
description languages such as HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) and
XML (Extensible Markup Language). These home pages can be browsed
by a browser executed by WWW client computer 210. Data such as in a
short message format is transmitted from data transfer apparatus
100 to a cellular phone via public network 240.
[0047] The relationship between a user and WWW client computer 210
shown in FIG. 3 is identified as set forth in the following in data
transfer apparatus 100. WWW client computer 210 transmits
information of an information communication terminal for
registration to data transfer apparatus 100 via Internet 220. The
user identification information is transmitted from data transfer
apparatus 100 to WWW client computer 210. The transmitted user
identification information is stored at WWW client computer 210.
WWW client computer 210 transmits the user identification
information to data transfer apparatus 100 at the time of
transmitting web page fetch information and data transfer request
information. Data transfer apparatus 100 receiving the user
identification information can identify the user from the user
identification information at the time of registration of the
information of the information communication terminal.
[0048] In addition to data related to the information communication
terminal of the transfer destination shown in FIG. 3, various
advertisement data, name data of the transmitter, and the like that
are to be added to the data transferred through data transfer
apparatus 100 are stored in database 130. These data are added to
the data to be transferred after conversion of the data format at
data format conversion unit 170. Advertisement data includes, for
example, advertisement information of the enterprise that supplies
the service of data transfer apparatus 100 or advertisement
information collected by that enterprise.
[0049] Web pages such as home pages described in HTML or XML are
stored in web page storage unit 140. Data region extraction unit
150 searches for a particular tag from the source code described
in, for example, HTML according to the data stored in web page
storage unit 140 to extract the data region and identify the format
of the data.
[0050] Button-added web page generation unit 160 generates data
having a data select button added to at least either the inner side
or neighborhood of the data in the web page extracted by data
region extraction unit 150. The following description corresponds
to those having a data select button displayed in respective
regions of data in the web page extracted by data region extraction
unit 150.
[0051] Data format conversion unit 170 converts the format of the
extracted data according to the format of respective data included
in the web page extracted by data region extraction unit 150 and
the transmission information format of the information
communication terminal of the destination user. In the case where
display at the information communication terminal of the
destination side is disabled even if the data specified for
transfer is data-converted, control unit 120 can transmit to WWW
client computer 210 an error message, or add data representing
"transfer failure data present" to the data to be transmitted for
transfer to the information communication terminal of the
destination side.
[0052] The program executed by data transfer apparatus 100 relates
to a web page transmission process, as shown in FIG. 4, and has a
control structure set forth below. It is assumed in the following
that the data transfer apparatus of the present embodiment is
implemented by an apparatus such as a proxy server that relays data
between WWW server 200 and WWW client computer 210.
[0053] At step 100 (step abbreviated as "S" hereinafter), control
unit 120 determines whether web page fetch request information
(such as web page specify information) is received from WWW client
computer 210 via communication connection unit 110. This
determination is made based on whether predetermined data is
received or not from WWW client computer 210 via communication
connection unit 110. When web page fetch request information is
received (YES at S100), control proceeds to S110. If web page fetch
request information is not received (NO at S100), control returns
to S100 to wait for reception of web page fetch request
information.
[0054] At S110, control unit 120 fetches from WWW server 200 the
web page requested from WWW client computer 210 via communication
connection unit 110. At S120, control unit 120 stores the fetched
web page data in web page storage unit 140.
[0055] At S130, data region extraction unit 150 extracts a data
region included in the web page, based on the data (data described
in HTML) of the web page stored in web page storage unit 140. It is
assumed that the web page requested by WWW client computer 210 and
obtained from WWW server 200 is a web page 300 as shown in FIG. 6.
Upon execution of the data extract process by data region
extraction unit 150 on such a web page at S130, data regions 312,
314 and 316 shown in FIG. 7 are extracted. The data extraction
process of S130 will be described based upon a source code 320 of
web page 300 shown in FIG. 8.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 8, source code 320 described in HTML
represents the structure of the web page, the location of the file
with an image or the like, the link destination, and the like using
a tag constituted by a reserved word sandwiched by "<" and
">". By searching for this tag, data is extracted and the data
format is identified. In the case of an IMG tag, for example,
"<IMG" and ">" are searched for. The data starting from the
found "<IMG" location up to the position of the first ">" is
identified as image data. In the case of a TD tag, "<TD>" and
"</TD>" are searched for. The data starting from the found
"<TD>" position up to the position of the first "</TD>"
is identified as the data representing each item in a table. By
searching for a tag, data extraction and data format identification
are performed. Data region 312, data region 314 and data region 316
of FIG. 7 correspond to source code region 322, source code region
324, and source code region 326, respectively, of FIG. 8.
[0057] In the case where respective data select buttons to select
these data regions 312, 314 and 316 are to be displayed within each
data region, a source code described with the program to display
the button, the image data of the button, and the like is to be
inserted in the aforementioned source code to generate data
representing a web page added with a data select button. In the
process of S130, the position to insert the source code described
with a program and the like to display the data select button
inside each data region is determined according to the extracted
data.
[0058] At S140, button-added web page generation unit 160 generates
a web page added with a data select button that can designate
whether to transfer the relevant data to the information
communication terminal corresponding to each of data regions 312,
314 and 316 included in web page 300 extracted at S130. When the
web page fetched from WWW server 200 is as shown in FIG. 6, the
button-added web page generated by button-added web page generation
unit 160 is represented in FIG. 9. More specifically, a web page
330 added with a data select button 332 to select the data of data
region 334 is provided only in the case where mouse pointer 336
points to a portion of data region 334. In the case where mouse
pointer 336 points to a portion of data region 334 or in the case
where mouse pointer 336 points to data select button 332, the
background color of data region 334 is altered to a predetermined
color (a color differing from the background color of the other
data regions). Button-added web page 330 is displayed, not at data
transfer apparatus 100, but at WWW client computer 210.
[0059] The button adding process carried out at S140 will be
described based on the source code of web page 330 shown in FIGS.
10 and 11. The source code of FIG. 10 is a version of the source
code of FIG. 8 into which a source code describing a program to
display or erase data select button 332 is inserted. The source
code of FIG. 11 is a version of the source code of FIG. 8 to which
is inserted the source code described with a tag to display data
select button 332, a tag to execute a function to display data
select button 332 corresponding to data region 334 when mouse
pointer 336 points to a portion of data region 334, and a tag to
execute a function to not display data select button 332 when mouse
pointer 336 does not point to a portion of data region 334.
[0060] The button adding process is carried out similarly for
regions other than data region 334. Source code regions 342-325 of
FIG. 10 are inserted into the region sandwiched by "<HEAD>"
and "</HEAD>" of FIG. 8. Source code regions 362-372 of FIG.
11 are inserted into the region sandwiched between "<BODY>"
and "</BODY>" of FIG. 8. The position where these source
codes are inserted is determined so as not to hinder the operation
and the like of the program described by these source codes. The
contents of these source code regions will be described here.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 10, source code region 342 includes the
function to display a specified button. Source code region 344
includes the function to not display the specified button. Source
code region 346 includes the function to alter the background color
of the specified data region to a predetermined color. Source code
region 348 includes the function to return the background color of
the specified data region to its former color on the web page.
Source code region 350 includes the function executed when the
button displayed on the web page is clicked. Source code region 352
includes data indicating the attribute of the display button.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 11, source code region 362 includes the
function to display data select button 332 corresponding to data
regions 334 when mouse pointer 336 points to a portion of data
region 334. Accordingly, a data select button corresponding to data
region 334 can be displayed when mouse pointer 336 points to a
portion of data region 334. Source code region 362 includes the
function to not display data select button 332 corresponding to
data region 334 when mouse pointer 336 does not point to a portion
of data region 334. Thus, data select button 332 corresponding to
data region 334 can be set as non-display when mouse pointer 336
does not point to a portion of data region 334.
[0063] Source code region 364 defines the image and display of data
select button 332 corresponding to data region 334. Source code
region 364 defines the function to alter the background color of
the data corresponding to data region 334. Thus, when mouse pointer
336 points to a portion of data region 334, data select button 332
is displayed in data region 334. When mouse pointer 336 points to
data select button 332, the background color of that data region
334 changes.
[0064] Source code region 362 and source code region 366 are
arranged inside the tags of "<TD>" and "<ITD>" which
are tags indicating data region 314. Source code region 364
sandwiched between "<SPAN>" and "</SPAN>" is disposed
between source code region 362 and source code region 366.
Accordingly, data select button 332 corresponding to data region
334 can be displayed in data region 334. Also, the change of the
background color can be directed to data region 334.
[0065] Source codes 368, 370 and 372 correspond to data region 316.
Source codes 368, 370 and 372 are similar to source codes 362, 364
and 366, respectively, except for the id (identification)
indicating the button and the id indicating the data region.
Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated where
appropriate.
[0066] Referring to FIG. 4 again, control unit 120 transmits a
button-added web page at S150 towards WWW client computer 210 that
has requested web page fetch at S100.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 5, the program executed by data transfer
apparatus 100 relates to a data transfer process, and has a control
structure set forth below.
[0068] At S200, control unit 120 determines whether data transfer
request information is received from WWW client computer 210. Here,
the user identification information is transmitted together from
WWW client computer 210. This determination is based on whether
data transfer request information is received or not from WWW
client computer 210 via communication connection unit 110. When
data transfer request information is received (YES at S200), the
control proceeds to S210. If data transfer request information is
not received (NO at S200), control returns to S200 to wait for
reception of data transfer request information. The data transfer
request information includes a flag (set status) indicating the
transfer request of data region 334 to user's information
communication terminals 230 and 250 that is generated by depression
of data select button 332 shown in FIG. 9.
[0069] At S210, data format conversion unit 170 converts the data
of the selected region into a data format corresponding to the
relevant information communication terminal based on the data
transfer request information received at S200, the information of
the information communication terminal of the transfer destination
stored in database 130 and the information of the web page stored
in web page storage unit 140. For example, referring to FIGS. 7 and
8, when transfer of data region 312 which is in the jpeg (joint
photographic experts group) format is requested and the format that
can be displayed as to image data at the receiving information
communication terminal is the gif (graphics interchange format),
data format conversion unit 170 converts the data into gif from the
jpeg format.
[0070] At S220, control unit 120 transmits the format-converted
data to a predetermined transfer destination via communication
connection unit 110.
[0071] The operation of data transfer apparatus 100 according to
the above structure and flow charts will be described
hereinafter.
[0072] [Web page transmission process]
[0073] Upon reception of a request of web page fetching from WWW
client computer 210 (YES at S100), data transfer apparatus 100
obtains data of a specified web page from WWW server 200. The
obtained web page data is stored in web page storage unit 140
(S120), from which a data region included in the web page is
extracted (S130). Referring to FIG. 7, the data regions extracted
here are data regions 312, 314 and 316. Referring to FIG. 8, source
codes corresponding to these data regions are source code regions
322, 324 and 326.
[0074] Button-added web page data that allows the display of a
button corresponding to each of the extracted data regions at WWW
client computer 210 is generated (S140). The generated button-added
web page data is transmitted to WWW client computer 210 (S150).
[0075] [Data transfer process]
[0076] Based on the button-added web page data transmitted to WWW
client computer 210, a button corresponding to respective data is
displayed at WWW client computer 210. At the same time, the entire
transfer data is displayed at WWW client computer 210. By the
depression of any of the displayed buttons, the data requested to
be displayed is selected (S150). Here, if mouse pointer 336 points
to a portion of data region 334, data select button 332 is
displayed at WWW client computer 210, as shown in FIG. 9. When
mouse pointer 336 points to data select button 332, the background
color of data region 334 changes. If mouse pointer 336 does not
point to data select button 332, the background color of data
region 334 returns to its former color. Data select button 332 is
not displayed if mouse pointer 336 does not point to a portion of
data region 334. Display of data select button 332 and change of
the background color of data region 334 can both be effected by
pointing to a portion of data region 334.
[0077] Thus, the user can view the entire data region corresponding
to the transfer request, and then designate a data region that is
to be transferred with mouse pointer 336 to display data select
button 332, and click the relevant data select button with mouse
pointer 336.
[0078] WWW client computer 210 transmits data transfer request
information including the data that is requested to be transmitted
and data of the transfer destination to data transfer apparatus
100.
[0079] Upon receiving the data transfer request information (YES at
S200), data transfer apparatus 100 converts the data in the web
page into a predetermined data format according to the data format
of the data in the selected region and the information of the
communication terminal of the transfer destination (displayable
data format and the like) (S210). The format-converted data is
transferred to the information communication terminal specified by
WWW client computer 210 via Internet 220 and public network 240.
The transferred data can be browsed at information communication
terminals 230 and 250.
[0080] Thus, the data transfer apparatus transmits button-added web
data to the WWW client computer. The button-added web data has
respective buttons corresponding to a plurality of data in the web
page added to the web page that is requested for browsing by the
WWW client computer. As a result, the data transfer apparatus
converts the data selected using a corresponding added button at
the WWW client computer into a predetermined data format for
transfer to a predetermined information communication terminal.
[0081] Accordingly, the data transfer apparatus of the present
embodiment allows the user to easily transfer required information
such as a web page to a predetermined information communication
terminal.
[0082] A transfer temporary suppression flag can be stored for each
user in database 130, which is set and reset by WWW client computer
210. Accordingly, a user that does not desire transfer to an
information communication terminal temporarily can designate
temporary suppression of transfer to dispense with the generation
process of a select button or the like that will be described
afterwards.
[0083] The function of data transfer apparatus 100 can be
incorporated into a proxy server or the like connected to Internet
220. Accordingly, a data transfer apparatus according to the
present embodiment can be realized by that proxy server. In this
case, communication connection unit 110 receives, in addition to
the aforementioned function, web page fetch request information,
for example, URL (Uniform Resource Locators) transmitted from WWW
client computer 210 to WWW server 200.
[0084] The source code region corresponding to data region 334 is
not limited to those described above. What is required of the
source code region is the capability of detecting the position
pointed out by the mouse, specification of a function to be
executed when the position is detected (data selected button
display, background color change), detection of clicking the mouse
pointer in data region 334, and specification of a function for
execution when it is sensed.
[0085] The present invention is not limited to the embodiment in
which a corresponding data transfer button is displayed in the data
region of the data to be transferred. For example, the
corresponding data transfer button may be displayed in the
proximity of the data region. In this case, a source code described
with a program that causes display of a predetermined button at a
position in the proximity of the data region is inserted into the
source code of FIG. 8.
[0086] It is to be noted that the displayed status of the data
select button, once displayed by the mouse pointer designating a
portion of the data region, is maintained until a portion of that
data region is designated again. Accordingly, even if the mouse
pointer points to a portion of a data display region, and then
points to a region outside that data region, the data select button
appearing inside or in the proximity of the data region is not
rendered non-display to allow the data select button to be
clicked.
[0087] Second Embodiment
[0088] The data transfer apparatus of the present embodiment stores
transfer destination data corresponding to a plurality of
information communication terminals for each user. The data
transfer apparatus transmits to WWW client computer 210 a plurality
of data extracted from a web page, information to realize at WWW
client computer 210 a data select button to select data that is to
be transferred out from the plurality of data, and information
realizing a transfer destination select button to select the
destination to which data is to be transferred at WWW client
computer 210. The data transfer apparatus transfers the data
selected by WWW client computer 210 to the selected transfer
destination to be stored.
[0089] The data transfer apparatus of the present embodiment
differs from that of the previous embodiment in the contents of
data stored in database 130 and the contents of the process carried
out at S140 executed by a button-added web page generation unit
differing from button-added web page generation unit 160. The
remaining hardware structure and the flow charts are identical to
those of the first embodiment. Therefore, detailed description
thereof will not be repeated where appropriate.
[0090] Referring to FIG. 12, data corresponding to a plurality of
information communication terminals are stored for each user in
database 130. This allows the required transfer destination to be
selected from a plurality of transfer destinations and transfer the
selected data to a predetermined transfer destination. The data
shown in FIG. 12 can be registered, modified and deleted by WWW
client computer 210 via Internet 220, as in the first
embodiment.
[0091] At S140, a button-added web page generation unit generates a
web page added with a data select button corresponding to each of
data regions 312, 314 and 316 included in web page 300 extracted at
S130 to designate whether to transfer the relevant data to an
information communication terminal or not and a transfer
destination select button that allows selection of a transfer
destination for the selected data. When the web page obtained from
WWW server 200 is as shown in FIG. 6, the button-added web page
generated by the button-added web page generation unit is
exemplified in FIG. 13. More specifically, this web page 380
includes an additional transfer destination select button 382 that
allows input of a transfer destination of the data selected by the
data select button. By this transfer destination select button 382,
transfer in either the mail format or fax format can be selected by
mouse pointer 384.
[0092] FIG. 14 shows a web page 390 corresponding to selection of a
transfer in the fax format by transfer destination select button
382. Web page 390 includes a data select button 396 to select data
of data region 394. Data select button 396 is displayed only when
mouse pointer 398 points to a portion of data region 394. The
background color of data region 394 changes when mouse pointer 398
points to a portion of data region 394 or data select button
396.
[0093] FIG. 15 shows a web page 400 corresponding to the case where
transfer in a mail format is selected through transfer destination
select button 382. Web page 400 includes a data select button 406
to select data of data region 404, displayed only when mouse
pointer 408 points to a portion of data region 404. The background
color of data region 404 changes when mouse pointer 408 points to a
portion of data region 404 or data select button 406. Button-added
web pages 380, 390 and 400 are displayed, not at data transfer
apparatus 100, but at WWW client computer 210.
[0094] The button adding process carried out at S140 will be
described with reference to the source codes of web pages 380-400
shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. The source code of FIG. 16 includes a
program to display or not display data select button 406 in the
source code of FIG. 8. The source code of FIG. 17 is a version of
the source code of FIG. 8, inserted with source codes and the like
described with a tag to display data select button 406 and the
like, a tag to execute the function of displaying a corresponding
data select button 406 and the like when mouse pointer 408
designates a portion of the corresponding data region, and a tag to
execute the function to not display data select button 406 and the
like when mouse pointer 408 does not designate a portion of the
corresponding data region.
[0095] The button adding process is similarly carried out for
regions other than the foregoing data regions 394 and 404. More
specifically, source code regions 502-522 of FIG. 16 are inserted
into the region sandwiched by "<HEAD>" and "</HEAD>" of
FIG. 8. Source code regions 532-544 of FIG. 17 are inserted into
the region sandwiched by "<BODY>" and "</BODY>" of FIG.
8. The position where these source codes are inserted is determined
so as not to hinder the operation and the like of the program
described by the source codes. The contents of these source code
region will be described hereinafter.
[0096] Referring to FIG. 16, source code region 502 includes the
function to display a specified button. Source code region 504
includes a function to fetch the selected contents of a transfer
destination select button. Source code region 506 includes a
function to alter the button image according to the selected
contents obtained at source code region 504. Source code region 508
includes the function to designate display of a button. Source code
region 510 includes the function to change the displayed data
select button to a non-displayed state. Source code region 512
includes the function to alter the background color of the
specified data region to a predetermined color. Source code region
514 includes the function to return the background color of the
specified data region to its former color on the web page. Source
code region 516 includes the function for execution when the button
displayed on the web page is clicked. Source code region 518
includes the function to fetch the selected contents of the
transfer destination select button. Source code region 520 defines
the function of fetching data of a specified data region and the
function provided when a data select button is clicked according to
the selected contents. This function differs depending upon the
type of the transfer destination of data. Source code region 522
includes data indicating the attribute of the display button.
[0097] Referring to FIG. 17, source code region 532 includes the
function to specify display of the transfer destination select
button. Source code region 534 includes the function to display the
data select button corresponding to respective data regions when
the mouse pointer points to a portion in data region 394 or 404.
Accordingly, a data select button corresponding to respective data
regions can be displayed if the mouse pointer points to a portion
of data region 394 or 404. Source code region 534 includes the
function to not display the data select button corresponding to
respective data regions when the mouse pointer does not point to a
portion of data region 394 or 404. Thus, a corresponding data
select button can be rendered to a non-display state when the mouse
pointer does not point to a portion of data region 394 or 404.
[0098] Source code region 536 defines the image and display of a
corresponding data select button for data regions 394 or 404.
Source code region 536 defines the function to change the
background color of data corresponding to data region 394 or 404.
When the mouse pointer points to a portion of data region 394 or
404, a corresponding data select button is displayed in data region
394 or 404. When the mouse pointer points to the relevant data
select button, the background color of data region 304 or 404
changes.
[0099] Source code regions 534 and 538 are arranged right inside
the region sandwiched between "<TD>" and "</TD>" which
is the tag indicating data region 314. Source code region 536 is
disposed in the region sandwiched by "<SPAN>" and
"</SPAN>" between source code regions 534 and 538.
Accordingly, a data select button corresponding to data region 394
or 404 can be displayed in data region 394 or 404. The change of
the background color can be directed to data region 394 or 404.
[0100] Source codes 540, 542 and 544 correspond to data region 316.
Source codes 540. 542 and 544 are similar to source codes 534, 536
and 538, respectively, except for the id indicating a relevant
button and the id indicating a relevant data region. Therefore,
detailed description will not be repeated where appropriate.
[0101] The operation of the data transfer apparatus when a
button-added web page is generated according to the foregoing
process in S140 will be described. As shown in FIG. 13, a transfer
destination select button 382 is displayed in the screen of WWW
client computer 210. The transfer destination is selected through
transfer destination select button 382 using mouse pointer 384 at
WWW client computer 210.
[0102] Data select button 396 is displayed as shown in FIG. 14,
when mouse pointer 398 points to a portion of data region 394 after
selection of a fax transfer. When data select button 396 is pointed
with mouse pointer 398, the background color of data region 394
changes. The background color of data region 394 returns to its
former color if mouse pointer 398 does not point to data select
button 396. Data select button 396 is rendered to a non-display
state if mouse pointer 398 does not point to a portion of data
region 394.
[0103] If mouse pointer 408 points to a portion of data region 404
after a mail transfer is selected, data select button 406 is
displayed as shown in FIG. 15. When data select button 406 is
pointed out with mouse pointer 408, the background color of data
region 404 changes. The background color of data region 404 returns
to its former color unless mouse pointer 408 does not designate
data select button 406. Data select button 406 is rendered to a
non-display state unless mouse pointer 408 points to a portion in
data region 404.
[0104] Thus, the data select button of a data region requesting
transfer is clicked with mouse pointer 398 or 408.
[0105] Information such as a web page required by the user can be
transferred to an information communication terminal that is
specified in the data transfer apparatus of the present
embodiment.
[0106] The source code regions for data region 394 or 404 are not
limited to those described above. Any source code region is
applicable as long as detection of the position of mouse pointer,
specification of a function to be executed (data select button
display, background color change) when the position is sensed,
detection of clicking a mouse pointer at a portion of data region
394 or 404, and specification of a function to be executed when
mouse click is sensed can be effected.
[0107] Display of data select button 396 and change of the
background color of data region 394 can be effected when mouse
pointer 398 points to a portion of data region 394. Furthermore,
display of data select button 406 and change of the background
color of data region 404 can be effected when mouse pointer 408
points to a portion in data region 404.
[0108] Third Embodiment
[0109] The third embodiment of the present invention corresponds to
a partial modification of the process of the second embodiment.
Data transfer apparatus 100 of the present embodiment differs from
that of the previous second embodiment in the structure of S140.
The remaining hardware structure and flow charts are similar to
those of the second embodiment. Therefore, detailed description
will not be repeated where appropriate.
[0110] At S140, a web page 540 is generated, as displayed at WWW
client computer 210 shown in FIG. 18. More specifically, a web page
is generated added with respective data select buttons,
corresponding to data region 312, 314 and 316 in web page 300
extracted at S130, to allow designation of whether to transfer the
data in a mail format and whether to transfer the data in a fax
format.
[0111] When the web page obtained from WWW server 200 is as shown
in FIG. 6, a web page generated by the button-added web page
generation unit is exemplified in FIG. 18. More specifically, a web
page 540 further includes a data transfer button 542 designating
transfer request of data region 544 in a mail format, and a data
transfer button 546 designating transfer request of the data in a
fax format. By clicking data transfer button 542 with a mouse
pointer, the data of data region 544 is transferred in a mail
format. When data transfer button 546 is clicked with a mouse
pointer, the data of data region 544 is transferred in a fax
format. These data transfer buttons 542 and 546 are displayed only
when the mouse pointer points to a portion of data region 544. When
the mouse pointer points to a portion of data region 544 or points
to data transfer buttons 542 and 546, the background color of data
region 544 changes.
[0112] Thus, information required by the user such as a web page
can be transferred to a specified information communication
terminal according to the data transfer apparatus of the present
embodiment.
[0113] Although the present invention has been described and
illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by
way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way
of limitation, the spirit and scope of the present invention being
limited only by the terms of the appended claims.
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